Oh. TNT was a total bust for UCL, I wonder why they are getting back into soccer with US Soccer and now this.
For the same reason it's getting into the NHL and college football and NASCAR and tennis, etc., because it can? The TNT/UCL debacle is ancient history as we can see from the US national team productions having no resemblance to what happened back then.
As long as they don't handle it like they did the UCL. Their US Soccer broadcasts have been fine, so I guess they can do it.
Mexican soccer club León loses appeal against FIFA and will not play in Club World Cup: https://apnews.com/article/cas-leon-appeal-club-world-cup-d37e1b573babc8d30561e7a807c0f378 Really disappointing for León, given these regulations were introduced after the fact. No explanation of why Alajuelense is not taking the spot (or Philadelphia for that matter). If this is seen as a "Mexican spot" then Club America should just get it as the highest ranked Concacaf team. LAFC very fortunate to be in this playoff, I would even argue undeserved. (A four-year ranking trumps any runner-up consideration)
Currently LAFC is scheduled to host the Rapids on 5/31. It would be nice if for just once the Rapids wouldn't roll-over when asked to reschedule a match so that a "big name" team could play an international game. Not that they have a choice in this one, but make some noise and get something out of the league for it for once.
Considering we're just making up this playoff as we go along anyway, let's let the Rapids come off the bench and replace whoever gets scored on first. Planet Fitness indoor soccer rules
Explanation is simple. Alajuelense isn't marketable. They did deserve the spot based on FIFA own CWC rules but having America instead makes them money. Now if you put America vs LAFC in LA, which is where it will take place, and all the gate money goes to FIFA (Not America or LAFC) then you understand why they went this route.
Club America doesn’t want the “Leagues Cup” treatment for the CWC playoff and seeks a neutral venue: https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbo...a-vs-lafc-mundial-clubes-sede-estadio-partido
Speculation in Mexico is that the match could even be outside California. Such as Las Vegas, Dallas, or Atlanta.
Is it? Did something change? The Crew hosted LAFC last year and Nashville hosted Miami the year before. Not to mention a hypothetical MLS-Liga MX final would always be hosted by the MLS side.
FIFA can decide where to have the game played. If played in LA the crying will commence but ultimately it's FIFA decision. Does FIFA make fair decisions? Nope. We saw that by their own rules Alajuelense was suppose to be in the CWC but they decided not to include them and instead went with LAFC and America. Now, why did FIFA make that decision? It's in their rules. ARTICLE 44: MATTERS NOT PROVIDED FOR Any matters not provided for in these Regulations and any cases of force majeure shall be decided by FIFA. All decisions shall be final and binding and not subject to appeal. They covered their ass. The Leon/Alajuelense LAFC/America cases are exactly that. People might not like the decisions and there is/will be a lot of crying and complaining but ultimately it comes down to FIFA and what is in their best interests ($$).
Let's be real, this game will have at least 50% CA fans at it in BMO, probably more as this won't be part of the STH's package.
In another twist, the president of Leon now claims FIFA picked Pachuca over Leon: https://www.goal.com/en-ae/lists/cl...ulsion/blt5cd734f8363ac638#cs92614ca77626af8e
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45124369/man-city-unveil-home-kit-worn-fifa-club-world-cup Manchester City will debut their new kit during CWC. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c4g7pk04l5no Real Madrid looking to get Alonso in place before CWC. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6351374/2025/05/12/argentina-club-world-cup-violent-fan-bans/ 15,000 fans from Argentina banned from attending CWC games. https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments...-2025/articles/auckland-city-diary-myer-bevan The CWC only amateur club prepares for their American adventure. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...f-the-fifa-club-world-cup-2025-302451660.html FIFA adds a sponsor for CWC https://blog.betway.com/football/the-biggest-clubs-missing-the-fifa-club-world-cup-2025/ Who didn't make the cut for the CWC.